All-at-once, teeth-surrounding oral cleaning device and methods

Abstract

Hands-free devices adapted for rapid brushing, cleaning and treating users' teeth are provided. In some embodiments, such a device comprises brushes for cleaning each of a user's teeth simultaneously. In some embodiments, such a device is generally U-shaped, accepting, cleaning and/or treating all of a user's teeth simultaneously. In some embodiments, a device is adapted to fit an individual user, based on 3-dimensional imaging. Example customized fluid jets within such devices are provided, introducing dentifrices and other treatments into tooth-conforming channels. In some embodiments, specialized handles are set forth, configured for hands-free use. Example methods and modes for such devices' use are also set forth. In some embodiments, compartments and cartridges with a proprietary form factor for delivering dentifrice and other treatments and for disposing of waste without mess are provided. In some embodiments, observational data are gathered, analyzed and serve as the basis for a treatment action plan.

I claim: 
     
       1. An oral care device comprising:
 a set of at least one channel(s) configured to accept each of a user's teeth; 
 wherein said set of at least one channel(s) comprises at least one fluid-releasing port(s) configured to pass fluid(s) about and/or between teeth of said user; 
 a control system, comprising a power source, computer hardware and actuator(s); 
 at least one brush(es) at least partially lining said channel(s), configured to be driven by said actuator(s); and 
 wherein said control system is configured to actuate said actuators based on a user-issued command. 
 
     
     
       2. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the user-issued command comprises a user biting into said at least one channel(s), which is sensed by the control system. 
     
     
       3. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the user-issued command comprises a user touching a button on the outer surface of said oral care device. 
     
     
       4. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein the user-issued command comprises both:
 a user biting into said at least one channel(s), which biting is sensed by the control system; and 
 a user touching a button on the outer surface of said oral care device. 
 
     
     
       5. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid-releasing port(s) are configured to pulse said fluid(s) when releasing said fluid(s). 
     
     
       6. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said oral care device is configured to generate vibrations to clean said user's teeth. 
     
     
       7. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said oral care device is configured to generate ultrasound to clean a user's teeth. 
     
     
       8. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said oral care device carries out a set of actions to clean and/or treat said user's teeth. 
     
     
       9. The oral care device of  claim 8 , wherein said oral care device is configured to be operated in one or more of a plurality of modes of operation and/or a combination of said one or more of a plurality of modes of operation, and wherein said actions are based on said one or more of a plurality of modes of operation. 
     
     
       10. The oral care device of  claim 9 , wherein an intensity and a duration of said actions are defined by said one or more of a plurality of modes of operation. 
     
     
       11. The oral care device of  claim 9 , wherein a type of said fluids is selected based on said one or more of a plurality of modes of operation. 
     
     
       12. The oral care device of  claim 9 , wherein said oral care device is configured to accept commands from a third-party, other than said user, and wherein said commands from a third-party affect the operation of said oral care device. 
     
     
       13. The oral care device of  claim 9 , wherein said oral care device comprises a cartridge-loading compartment. 
     
     
       14. The oral care device of  claim 13 , wherein said cartridge-loading compartment is configured to receive one or more cartridge(s) comprising said fluid(s), and wherein said oral care device is configured to receive said fluid(s) from said cartridge(s) and distribute said fluids to one or more of said channel(s). 
     
     
       15. The oral care device of  claim 14 , wherein said oral care device is configured to accept commands from said one or more cartridge(s), and wherein said commands from said one or more cartridge(s) affect the operation of said oral care device. 
     
     
       16. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said channel(s) are custom-fit to a particular user's mouth, based on a 3-D impression, scan or image of said particular-user's mouth. 
     
     
       17. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said channel(s) are held in a mouthpiece, and wherein an outer surface of said mouthpiece is custom-fit to a particular user's mouth, based on a 3-D impression, scan or image of said particular-user's mouth. 
     
     
       18. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said channel(s) are a single channel. 
     
     
       19. The oral care device of  claim 1 , wherein said brushes comprise a curved surface, matching the contours of said user's teeth and gums, and surrounding and penetrating between each of said user's teeth and gums. 
     
     
       20. A method for using an oral hygiene device, comprising the following step(s):
 obtaining an oral hygiene device, comprising: 
 a set of at least one channel(s) configured to accept each of a user's teeth; 
 wherein said set of at least one channel(s) comprises fluid-releasing port(s) configured to pass fluid(s) about and/or between teeth of said user; 
 a control system, comprising a power source, computer hardware and actuator(s); 
 at least one brush(es) at least partially lining said channel(s), configured to be driven by said actuator(s); and 
 wherein said control system is configured to actuate said actuators based on a user-issued command.